An apprenticeship is a great way to start your career by learning valuable skills from experienced professionals while gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Apprentices at Totton College benefit from our blended-learning approach, with a combination of classroom-based workshops and online sessions.
If you’re interested in applying for an apprenticeship, please view our current opportunities here or contact us directly on apprenticeships@totton.ac.uk. On this page, we cover what to include in your CV and provide you with a great template to get started!
Why do I need a CV for an apprenticeship?
If you’re thinking about applying for an apprenticeship, you may be wondering why you need a CV. An apprenticeship is still (in most cases) a full-time job, you will be treated as any normal employee at the company and interviewed just like any other potential candidate (apprentice or not!).
Although you may not have as much relevant professional experience to include, your CV is still important. Your CV enables the employer to find out more about:
- Your education
- Transferrable skills picked up from other work or school
- Your interest in your chosen field and why you want to do an apprenticeship
5 key points to include on your CV
To write a great CV, be sure to include these key points:
Your name and contact details
Put these at the top of the page so you are immediately introducing yourself to potential employers. Employers will usually look through several CVs during the recruitment process so make it easy for them to find your contact details if they want to get in touch. Ensure to use your most up-to-date email and phone number!
A personal summary/profile
Include a short professional summary underneath your name. This statement briefly tells the employer what experience you have or what your current role is. Your key strengths and what you can bring to the company. Make sure you keep it short and sweet; you want to keep them keen, but you don’t want them to get bored!
Education breakdown
Most apprenticeships have entry requirements, such as particular grades in your GCSEs. Majority of our employers require a minimum of a grade C/4 in English and maths, but this is flexible, and we can support you with your studies alongside your apprenticeship. Ensure to include your English and math grades as a minimum but it is always helpful to include some other relevant qualifications, such as previous childcare qualifications if you are applying for an Early Years apprenticeship.
Work experience
Even if you do not have any work experience directly related to your chosen field, it is still important to mention the experience you do have. This could include part-time work, work experience programmes or voluntary work. Ensure to outline your key responsibilities in those roles and the duration you were employed for.
Relevant training
If you have completed any relevant training in your chosen field, be sure to mention this on your CV. This training could be short courses online or work experience training.
Hobbies and interests
You should include a brief note on your hobbies and interests, even if they are not relevant to your chosen field. This section tells your potential employer a little about your personality and makes your application unique to you. Ensure it is short and professional, you are still applying for a job!
CV template
If you would like to use our CV template, you can download it here.
